Australian mare Black Caviar, a former top Flat horse, has been put down aged 18 owing to laminitis. The Bel Espirit daughter won all 25 of her starts, including the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012. That year she was crowned European champion and the following year she was ranked the world’s best racehorse. Days after she was put down, more heartbreak came for Black Caviar’s connections when it was confirmed her new foal had died. “The ownership group would like to thank the entire veterinary team who dedicated their time and efforts to caring for Black Caviar and her colt,” read a statement.
A spotlight has been shone on the unsung equine heroes of the Paralympics, known as “companion horses” – or “friendly horses”. These equines play at vital role at the Games by appearing in the arena at the same time as the horses competing in grades I, II, and III, to help keep them calm and the riders safe. This tradition stems back to the first Paralympics, Atlanta 1996, where riders competed on borrowed horses from riding schools, and companion horses were used to keep them company as they were not used to working in an arena alone.
A Percheron police horse has been reunited with the woman who bottle-fed him as a foal thanks to the power of social media. In February H&H reported that Police Horse Putney had helped arrest a man carrying a knife in his final week with the Metropolitan Police. When the article was shared in a Percheron Facebook group, Alison Gardner saw it. Alison spoke with the Met and the gelding, formerly known as Boris, returned to her to enjoy his retirement. “It’s lovely, but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It’s awesome to have him home,” said Alison.
To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
